Integrated operator centric controls

ABSTRACT

A vehicle, includes a control interface module, a rolling chassis structure, a working component, and a control interface. The rolling chassis structure includes a chassis and a non-working component. The non-working component is coupled to the chassis and configured to facilitate transit operations for the rolling chassis structure. The non-working component is communicably coupled to the control interface module. The working component is coupled to the rolling chassis structure and is configured to move relative to the chassis. The working component is communicably coupled to the control interface module. The control interface is communicably coupled to the control interface module and configured to receive one or more user commands. The control interface is configured to control an operation of at least one of the working component and the non-working component in response to the one or more user commands

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/007,163, filed Aug. 31, 2020, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/789,172, filed Feb.12, 2020, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/805,797, filed Feb. 14, 2019, all of which arehereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Refuse trucks (e.g., garbage trucks) and concrete mixers are sometimesmanufactured by adding components to rolling chassis configurations soldby original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). For example, a refuse truckmay be manufactured by adding a refuse cab, a refuse body (e.g. refusecollection body), and other refuse-specific components to an OEM vehiclechassis. A concrete mixer may be manufactured by adding a mixer cab, amixer body (e.g., a mixing drum), and other mixer-specific components toan OEM vehicle chassis. The rolling chassis configuration may include anengine, drivetrain, and associated user controls, inputs, etc. that arerequired to facilitate movement of the vehicle between differentlocations. The rolling chassis configuration may include controlinterfaces in a cab of the vehicle to facilitate operation of the OEMvehicle chassis. Because the refuse- or mixer-specific components areadded on after manufacture (by the OEM) of the original rolling chassisconfiguration, controls for refuse- or mixer-specific components aretraditionally added on and separate from the OEM controls. This producesduplicative, and in some instances inelegant, controls interfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a vehicle. Thevehicle, includes a control interface module, a rolling chassisstructure, a working component, and a control interface. The rollingchassis structure includes a chassis and a non-working component. Thenon-working component is coupled to the chassis and configured tofacilitate transit operations for the rolling chassis structure. Thenon-working component is communicably coupled to the control interfacemodule. The working component is coupled to the rolling chassisstructure and is configured to move relative to the chassis. The workingcomponent is communicably coupled to the control interface module. Thecontrol interface is communicably coupled to the control interfacemodule and configured to receive one or more user commands. The controlinterface is configured to control an operation of at least one of theworking component and the non-working component in response to the oneor more user commands.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a controlsystem. The control system includes a control interface and a controlinterface module that is communicably coupled to the control interface.The control interface is mountable in a cab area of a vehicle and isconfigured to receive user commands. The control interface module iscommunicably couplable to a non-working component of the vehicle and aworking component of the vehicle. The non-working component isconfigured to facilitate non-transit operations for the vehicle. Theworking component is configured to facilitate non-transit operations forthe vehicle. The control interface module is configured to receive theuser commands from the control interface and control the non-workingcomponent and the working component based on the user commands.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a vehicle. Thevehicle includes a control interface, a control interface module, anon-working component, and a working component. The control interface isconfigured to receive an input and transmit a control signal. Thecontrol signal is based on the received input. The control interfacemodule is communicably coupled to the control interface. The controlinterface module is configured to receive the control signal andtransmit a command signal. The non-working component is configured tofacilitate transit operations of the vehicle and is communicably coupledto the control interface module. The working component is configured tofacilitate non-transit operations of the vehicle and is communicablycoupled to the control interface module. The control interface moduletransmits the command signal to the working component in a first mode.The first mode is configured to control an operation of the workingcomponent based on the received control signal. The control interfacemodule transmits the command signal to the non-working component in asecond mode. The second mode is configured to control an operation ofthe non-working component based on the received control signal.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a controlsystem. The control system includes a control interface and a controlinterface module that is communicably coupled to the control interface.The control interface is configured to receive user commands and tocontrol a working component of a vehicle. The working component isconfigured to facilitate non-transit operations of the vehicle. Thecontrol interface module is communicably couplable to the workingcomponent and to a non-working component of the vehicle. The non-workingcomponent is configured to facilitate transit operations of the vehicle.The control interface is configured to receive the user commands andcontrol the working component based on the user commands. The controlinterface is configured to transmit a plurality of control signals tothe control interface module. The control interface module is furtherconfigured to control the non-working component based on at least one ofthe plurality of control signals.

The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being carried outin various ways. Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to otherfeatures and combinations of features as may be recited herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will become more fully understood from the followingdetailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingfigures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a concrete mixer, according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a refuse truck, according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a steering wheel for a concrete mixer or arefuse truck that includes an OEM control interface, according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an internal communication network for avehicle, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic layout of an OEM steering wheel control interfacefor a concrete mixer, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an internal communication network for aconcrete mixer, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic layout of an OEM steering wheel control interfacefor a refuse truck, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an internal communication network for arefuse truck, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an OEM control system of a rolling chassisstructure, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an internal communication network for aconcrete mixer, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an internal communication network for arefuse truck, according to an exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an internal communication network for avehicle, according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplaryembodiments in detail, it should be understood that the presentapplication is not limited to the details or methodology set forth inthe description or illustrated in the figures. It should also beunderstood that the terminology is for the purpose of description onlyand should not be regarded as limiting.

A vehicle may include both working and non-working components. Asreferred to herein, the term “non-working components” generally refersto components that are included in the vehicle as part of a rollingchassis structure (e.g., configuration) sold by an original equipmentmanufacturer (OEM). The non-working components may be configured tofacilitate transit operations (e.g., vehicle movement, steering,operator entertainment, etc.). For example, the non-working componentsmay include electrical components in a cab area of the vehicle such asdashboard displays, radios, etc. The non-working components may becontrolled using a control interface that is included with the rollingvehicle chassis. The control interface may be also be included in thecab area of the vehicle for ease of operation. The term “workingcomponent” generally refers to components that are added to the rollingchassis configuration after manufacture by the OEM. The workingcomponents may be configured to facilitate non-transit operations (e.g.,working vehicle operations) such as manipulating a position of one ormore hydraulic cylinders, controlling rotation and/or movement of otherworking body components, and other operations that may be performedwhile the vehicle is both moving and stationary. According to anexemplary embodiment, the working components and/or sub-componentsthereof are configured to move relative to the chassis of the vehicle.For example, the working components may include pumps, motors, hydraulicand/or pneumatic actuators, and other moving components specific to thefinal application of the vehicle.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle utilizes the controlinterface, included with the rolling chassis configuration from the OEM,to control the working components of the vehicle. Among other benefits,integrating the working component controls with existing user interfacesin the cab of the vehicle greatly reduces the number of additionalcontrol systems added to the cab. Utilizing existing user interfacesalso increases operator productivity by providing the working componentcontrols within immediate reach of the operator, rather than at somesecondary location on the vehicle (e.g., a secondary location that isseparate from the OEM control interface(s), outside the vehicle, etc.).According to an exemplary embodiment, the control interface includes aplurality of actuators. At least one of the actuators is configured tocause (e.g., control) movement of a working component. For example, theactuators may be configured to cause a hydraulic cylinder to extendand/or retract to manipulate a position of the working component. Inother embodiments, the actuators may activate or otherwise control theoperation of a pump for a hydraulic system (e.g., a drum drive systemfor a concrete mixer, etc.). In yet other embodiments, the actuators mayfacilitate control of another application specific component for thevehicle. In some embodiments, at least one actuator of the controlinterface may be configured to control both a working component of thevehicle and a non-working component of the vehicle, which can,advantageously, reduce the overall number of actuators required foroperational control of all components of the vehicle (e.g., thecombination of both working and non-working components).

An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a vehicle including achassis, a working component, and a non-working component. Both theworking component and the non-working component are coupled to thechassis. The working component is configured to move relative to thechassis. The vehicle also includes a control interface that iscommunicably coupled to the working component and the non-workingcomponent. The control interface includes a plurality of actuators. Afirst actuator of the plurality of actuators is configured to controlthe working component. A second actuator of the plurality of actuatorsis configured to control a non-working component.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a vehicleincluding a chassis, a working component, and a non-working component.Both the working component and the non-working component are coupled tothe chassis. The working component and/or sub-components thereof areconfigured to move relative to the chassis. The vehicle also includes acontrol interface communicably coupled to the working component and thenon-working component. The control interface includes an actuator. Theactuator is configured to control both the working component and thenon-working component. The details of the general depictions providedabove will be more fully explained by reference to FIGS. 1-8.

Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a vehicleincluding a chassis, a working component, a non-working component, acontrol interface module, and a working component control interfacedisposed within the cab area of the vehicle, said working componentcontrol interface configured to control a working component of thevehicle. In the case of a refuse truck, for example, a working componentcontrol interface may include a joystick control, a touchscreeninterface, a keypad interface, an exterior control interface, or othercontrol interface that may be used to control various working componentfunctions of the refuse truck (e.g., compactor control, grabber armactuation, rear door control, etc.). Likewise, in the case of a concretemixer, a working component control interface may include a joystickcontrol, a touch screen interface, a keypad interface, or other controlinterface that may be used to control various working componentfunctions of a cement mixer (e.g., chute position control, drum speedcontrol, etc.). According to an exemplary embodiment, the controlinterface module may change the operation of the control interface tocontrol a non-working component of the vehicle or to simultaneouslycontrol both a working component and a non-working component. Therefore,the integrated operator centric controls of the present disclosure alsointegrate the non-working components of the vehicle with the controlinterfaces that are not included with an OEM rolling chassis, but areprimarily associated with working components, as is described in detailwith reference to FIGS. 10-12.

According to an exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle, shownas concrete mixer 10 (e.g., mixer truck, cement mixer, etc.), isconfigured as a concrete mixing and delivery vehicle. The concrete mixer10 is configured to transport a cement mixture (e.g., aggregate such assand or gravel, water, and/or other adhesive compounds) from a quarry orcement production facility to various locations for distribution (e.g.,a residence, a commercial property, a construction site, etc.). In theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the concrete mixer 10 is manufactured byadding working components to a rolling vehicle chassis structure (e.g.,configuration, etc.). The rolling vehicle chassis structure may bemanufactured and sold by an OEM for a variety of different end-useapplications (e.g., end-use applications with similar load and stabilityrequirements, etc.). For example, the rolling vehicle chassis structuremay be manufactured for use as a concrete mixer, refuse truck, oranother type of working vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 1, the rolling vehicle chassis configuration includescomponents that are configured to facilitate transport operations forthe concrete mixer 10 (e.g., to facilitate movement of the concretemixer 10 between different locations). The rolling vehicle chassisstructure includes a chassis, shown as frame 12, and a plurality oftractive elements, shown as wheels 14, coupled thereto. The rollingvehicle chassis structure also includes a prime mover or engine (notshown) coupled to the frame 12. The engine may be configured to providepower to the wheels 14, and/or to other systems of the concrete mixer 10(e.g., a pneumatic system, a hydraulic system, mixing drum rotationsystem, etc.). The engine may be configured to utilize one or more of avariety of fuels (e.g., gasoline, diesel, bio-diesel, ethanol, naturalgas, etc.), or utilize energy from an external power source (e.g.,overhead power lines, etc.) and to provide the power to the systems ofthe concrete mixer 10. The rolling vehicle chassis structure includes atransmission (not shown) configured to transmit energy from the engineto the wheels 14. The rolling vehicle chassis structure may also includea suspension system, fuel storage system, steering system, brake systemand/or other systems to facilitate transport operations for the concretemixer 10.

The rolling vehicle chassis structure also includes components, referredto herein as “non-working components,” configured to enhance usercomfort and monitor/control vehicle operations. These may include airconditioning or heating system components such as fans, thermostats,compressors, control valves, heaters, etc. These may additionallyinclude radios for communication or entertainment, a camera systemconfigured to provide parking assistance, displays (e.g., dashboarddisplays for navigation, vehicle speed reporting, health monitoring ofelectronic equipment, etc.), seat heaters, electric motors forwindshield wiper control, an electronic control module for a cruisecontrol system, rear-view mirror position, etc. The non-workingcomponents may be disposed in a cab area 16 of the concrete mixer 10, ona first portion (e.g., end) of the frame 12. In the exemplary embodimentof FIG. 1, the non-working components are coupled directly or indirectly(e.g., mounted or otherwise connected) to a forward part of the frame 12proximate to where an operator would be positioned in the concrete mixer10.

The various non-working components for concrete mixer 10 may becommunicably coupled (e.g., electrically connected, wirelesslyconnected, etc.) to a control interface module that is included as partof the rolling chassis configuration (from the OEM). The controlinterface module may be configured to facilitate operator interactionand control over the various non-working components for the concretemixer 10. The control interface module may be communicably coupled to acontrol interface (e.g., a user interface, a human machine interface,etc.) from which a user or occupant may input desired control settings.The control interface may include a plurality of actuators such asswitches, buttons, dials, etc. disposed in the cab area 16 of theconcrete mixer 10. The plurality of actuators may be positioned withinthe cab area 16 for ease of access by a vehicle operator such as on asteering wheel or a central console within arms-reach of the occupant.According to an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of actuators isdisposed on a steering wheel of a rolling vehicle chassis, as will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 3. In other embodiments, the pluralityof actuators is disposed on a center console, in an overhead region ofthe cab area 16, or at another suitable location within the cab area 16.

In other embodiments, the control interface module of the concrete mixer10 may communicably couple to a working component control interfacesupplied separate from the rolling vehicle chassis structure (from theOEM or otherwise) and associated with operation of a working component,such as a joystick control or touchscreen interface, for example. Insuch embodiments, control interface module of the concrete mixer 10 mayfacilitate operator interaction with the working component controlinterface to control the various non-working components of the concretemixer 10. Accordingly, the control interface module of concrete mixer 10may integrate with a variety of control interfaces supplied with orwithout the rolling vehicle chassis structure of the cement mixer.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the rolling vehicle chassis forthe concrete mixer 10 includes an internal communications network usedfor operational control of the non-working components. The internalcommunications network may be a controller area network (CAN bus) oranother vehicle electronic communications protocol. The CAN bus may beconnected (e.g., electrically connected) to at least one non-workingcomponent control module. The non-working component control module maybe configured to control at least one non-working component based on aset of inputs. In an exemplary embodiment, the non-working componentcontrol module may include an engine control module configured tocontrol the amount of air flow or fuel delivered to the engine based ona measured mass flow rate of air, fuel pressure, etc. being delivered tothe engine. In other exemplary embodiments, the non-working componentcontrol module may include a radio control module configured to controlvolume levels, stereo operation, etc. based on a position of an actuator(e.g., a dial, switch, etc.). In yet other embodiments, the non-workingcomponent control module may include an air conditioning or heatingsystem control module configured to control an amount of air flow,direction of air flow, etc. based on a temperature set point and ameasured temperature. In yet other embodiments, the non-workingcomponent control module may include one of a camera system controlmodule used to control camera operation based on an operating conditionof the vehicle, a windshield wiper control module configured to controlthe operating speed of the windshield wipers based on a position of anactuator (lever, switch, etc.), a cruise control module configured toset and regulate an operating speed of the concrete mixer 10 based on anoperator set point and a measured wheel speed, etc. In otherembodiments, the non-working component control modules may include yetother types of control modules.

The non-working component control module may include a transmitter,onboard memory, and a processor operatively coupled to the transmitterand onboard memory. The non-working component control module may beconfigured to receive and process operating instructions for one or morenon-working components, to generate and transmit operating instructionsto other control modules, or to interpret, transmit, and receive sensordata or other operational information. In some embodiments, thenon-working component control module may be configured to transmitsensor data and/or other operational information to other parts of theCAN bus for health monitoring (e.g., to prevent the operation of certainnon-working component control modules under predetermined operatingconditions, etc.). The CAN bus may be configured to facilitatecommunication between a plurality of non-working component controlmodules or between a non-working component control module and thecontrol interface module.

As shown in FIG. 1, the concrete mixer 10 includes a plurality ofapplication-specific components added to the rolling vehicle chassisconfiguration. The structure and arrangement of theseapplication-specific components may be unique to a particular end-useapplication (e.g., concrete mixing and distribution, etc.).

According to an exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, theapplication-specific components for the concrete mixer 10 include a cab,shown as mixer cab 18, and a body, shown as mixer body 20. Both themixer cab 18 and the mixer body 20 are coupled to the frame 12. Themixer cab 18 is coupled to a forward portion of the frame 12. The mixerbody 20 is coupled to a rear portion of the frame 12 behind the mixercab 18. As shown in FIG. 1, the mixer body 20 for the concrete mixer 10includes a mixing drum 22 that extends at an angle from the rear portionof the frame 12 toward the mixer cab 18 and over an upper surface of themixer cab 18, such that one end of the mixing drum 22 is approximatelycentered over the mixer cab 18. The concrete mixer 10 additionallyincludes a delivery chute 24, which is disposed on a forward end of theconcrete mixer 10, also above the upper surface of the mixer cab 18. Afirst end (e.g., proximal end) of the delivery chute 24 is configured toreceive cement from the mixing drum 22, which flows along the deliverychute 24 toward a second end (e.g., distal end) of the delivery chute 24along a channel defined by the delivery chute 24 between the first endand the second end. Cement is dispensed from the second end of thedelivery chute 24 onto a surface (e.g., a level surface in aconstruction area, a form configured to receive and shape the cement,etc.). In an exemplary embodiment, the delivery chute 24 isrepositionable so that cement can be distributed evenly or to differentpositions on the surface relative to the concrete mixer 10.

In an exemplary embodiment, the application-specific componentsadditionally include one or more working components that are configuredto facilitate working vehicle operations (e.g., mixing operations,concrete loading and unloading operations, etc.). In some embodiments,at least one of the working components moves relative to the frame 12 ofthe rolling vehicle chassis to facilitate working operations for theconcrete mixer 10. For example, the working components may include themixing drum 22 mounted to the frame 12 and that rotates relative to theframe 12. In other embodiments, at least one of the working componentsis stationary relative to the frame 12 such as motors and/or pumps usedto power and/or control a hydraulic system for the concrete mixer 10. Asshown in FIG. 1, a first working component for the concrete mixer 10 isa drum rotation system 26 (e.g., a drum drive system, etc.) that isconfigured to rotate the mixing drum 22. In some embodiments, rotationof the mixing drum 22 is powered by the engine. In other embodiments,rotation of the mixing drum 22 is powered using a separate motor, oranother secondary drive system. The drum rotation system 26 may includea hydraulic system used to control rotation of the drum. The hydraulicsystem may include a motor, a pump, control valves to facilitateswitching the flow direction through the hydraulic system (e.g., drumrotational direction), a clutch used to selectively couple the hydraulicsystem to an engine of the concrete mixer 10 or another power source,etc.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, a second working component forthe concrete mixer 10 is a chute position control system 28. The chuteposition control system 28 is configured to reposition the deliverychute 24 relative to the concrete mixer 10 (e.g., to distribute thecement to different areas relative to the frame 12 of the concrete mixer10, etc.). The chute position control system 28 may utilize a mechanicalactuator, or another mechanical positioning system to reposition thedelivery chute 24. In other embodiments, the concrete mixer 10 mayinclude additional, fewer, and/or different working components.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the concrete mixer 10 includes aworking component control module. The working component control moduleis configured to control at least one working component based on a setof inputs. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the concrete mixer 10includes two working component control modules, a drum rotation controlmodule and a chute position control module. The drum rotation controlmodule is communicably coupled to the drum rotation system 26 and isconfigured to control the operation of the drum rotation system 26. Thechute position control module is communicably coupled to the chuteposition control system 28 and is configured to control the operation ofthe chute position control system 28. As will be further described withreference to FIGS. 3-8, each of the working component control modulesare communicably coupled (e.g., electrically connected) to the samecontrol interface module that is used for the non-working componentcontrol modules. Among other benefits, this controls approach eliminatesthe need for a controls interface in the vehicle for the workingcomponents that is separate from the controls interface used for thenon-working components. In other words, this controls approacheliminates the need for a controls interface that is specific to onlythe working components of the concrete mixer 10. In addition, and aswill be further described with reference to FIGS. 10-12, this controlsarrangement provides further benefit by permitting a separate workingcomponent controls interface to be used to control non-workingcomponents of the vehicle, which provides a convenient means ofcontrolling the non-working functions in addition to any controlsinterface that may be supplied with the rolling vehicle chassis.

The number and type of working components added to the rolling chassisstructure (from the OEM) will be different for different applications.In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the concrete mixer 10 ismanufactured by adding application-specific components to the rollingchassis configuration including the mixer cab 18, the mixer body 20, andassociated working components (e.g., components that move relative tothe frame 12 to facilitate working operations such as cement loading,mixing, and distribution at a job site, etc.). A similar rolling chassisstructure may also be utilized for other applications.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a vehicle, shownas refuse truck 50 (e.g., a garbage truck, a waste collection truck, asanitation truck, etc.) is configured to transport refuse from variouswaste receptacles within a municipality to a storage and/or processingfacility (e.g., a landfill, an incineration facility, a recyclingfacility, etc.). In an exemplary embodiment, the refuse truck 50 isassembled (e.g., manufactured, formed, etc.) from a substantiallysimilar rolling chassis structure as the concrete mixer 10 (shown inFIG. 1). For the purposes of this disclosure, where the same figurenumbering and terminology (e.g., naming convention) is used forsubstantially similar components, it may be assumed that the structureand function of the components are substantially similar.

As shown in FIG. 2, as with the concrete mixer 10 (FIG. 1), the rollingchassis structure for the refuse truck 50 includes components that areconfigured to facilitate transport operations for the refuse truck 50(e.g., to facilitate movement of the refuse truck 50 between differentlocations). The rolling vehicle chassis structure includes a chassis,shown as frame 12, and a plurality of tractive elements, shown as wheels14. The rolling vehicle chassis structure also includes an engine, atransmission, a suspension system, a fuel storage system, a steeringsystem, a brake system and/or other systems to facilitate transportoperations for the refuse truck 50.

As with the concrete mixer 10 of FIG. 1, the rolling vehicle chassisstructure for the refuse truck 50 of FIG. 2 includes non-workingcomponents configured to enhance user comfort and monitor/controlvehicle operations. In an exemplary embodiment, the rolling vehiclechassis structure (from the OEM) includes a control interface moduleconfigured to facilitate operator interaction and control over thevarious non-working components. The control interface module may becommunicably coupled to a control interface (e.g., a user interface, ahuman machine interface, etc.) from which an occupant can input desiredcontrol settings. The control interface may include a plurality ofactuators such as switches, buttons, dials, etc. The control interface(e.g., the plurality of actuators) may be located in a cab area 16 ofthe refuse truck 50 for ease of access by a vehicle operator such as ona steering wheel, a central console, or an overhead region of the cabarea 16 within arms-reach of the user or occupant.

The control interface module supplied with the rolling vehicle chassisstructure of the refuse truck 50 may communicably couple to a controlinterface that is also supplied with the rolling vehicle chassisstructure, such as a steering wheel as described in detail below. Inother embodiments, the control interface module of the refuse truck 50may communicably couple to a working component control interfacesupplied separate from the rolling vehicle chassis structure (from theOEM or otherwise) and is associated with operation of a workingcomponent, such as a joystick control or touchscreen interface, forexample. In such embodiments, control interface module of the refusetruck 50 may facilitate operator interaction with the working componentcontrol interface to control the various non-working components of therefuse truck 50. Accordingly, the control interface module of refusetruck 50 may integrate with a variety of control interfaces suppliedwith or without the rolling vehicle chassis structure of the cementmixer.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the rolling vehicle chassis forthe refuse truck 50 includes an internal communications network used foroperational control of the non-working components. The network may beconnected (e.g., electrically connected) to at least one non-workingcomponent control module, which may be configured to control at leastone non-working component based on a set of inputs. The non-workingcomponent control modules for the refuse truck 50 of FIG. 2 may besubstantially similar to the non-working component control modules forthe concrete mixer 10 of FIG. 1.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the refuse truck50 includes a variety of application-specific components configured tofacilitate loading, storage, and unloading of refuse (e.g., garbage,trash, etc.). Among these are a cab, shown as refuse cab 52, coupled toa forward portion of the frame 12, and a body, shown as refuse body 54,coupled to a rear portion of the frame 12 behind the refuse cab 52. Asshown in FIG. 2, the refuse body 54 includes a refuse container 56configured to receive refuse and store refuse during transit operations.The refuse container 56 includes an access door 58 disposed on an uppersurface of the refuse container 56 so as to prevent refuse from beingaccidentally discharged from the refuse container 56 during transitoperations (e.g., while the refuse truck 50 is moving). The refuse body54 additionally includes a compactor (not shown) and a repositionablerear access door 60 to facilitate refuse unloading operations. Therefuse body 54 also includes a front-loading refuse container assembly62 configured to receive refuse from residential or commercial wastereceptacles and to transfer refuse into the refuse container 56 throughthe access door 58. In other embodiments, the refuse truck 50 mayinclude additional, fewer, and/or different components.

In an exemplary embodiment, the application-specific componentsadditionally include one or more working components to facilitateworking operations for the refuse truck 50 (e.g., refuse loadingoperations, refuse compaction operations, refuse unloading operations,etc.). In some embodiments, the working components include componentsthat move relative to the frame 12 such as hydraulic cylinders, liftarms used to eject waste/garbage from a temporary holding container intothe refuse container 56, or other moving components. In otherembodiments, the working components include components that arestationary relative to the frame 12 such as motors and/or pumps used topower and/or control a hydraulic system for the refuse truck 50. Asshown in FIG. 2, a first working component for the refuse truck 50 is afront-end loading system 64 that is configured to reposition thefront-loading refuse container assembly 62 (e.g., a temporarywaste/garbage storage container used to facilitate loading operationsfor the refuse truck 50, etc.) relative to the frame 12 to eject thecontents of the container assembly 62 into the refuse container 56. Thefront-end loading system 64 may include a lift arm system configured torotate one or more lift arms mounted to the refuse container 56, torotate the container assembly 62 from a loading position in front of therefuse truck 50 upwardly toward an unloading position above the refusetruck 50. The front-end loading system 64 may also include a fork tiltsystem configured to rotate the container assembly 62 about a connectionpoint at an end of the lift arms (e.g., to rotate the container assembly62 relative to the lift arms).

A second working component for the refuse truck 50 is an access doorposition control system 66. According to an exemplary embodiment, theaccess door position control system 66 is configured to set the positionof the access door 58 during loading, transit, and unloading events(e.g., to open the access door 58 during loading events when the refusecontainer 56 is emptied into the refuse container 56, to close theaccess door during transit while the frame 12 of the refuse truck 50 isin motion, etc.). A third working component is a compaction controlsystem (not shown) configured to actuate or otherwise move the compactorwithin the refuse container 56 and to compact refuse that has beenreceived in the refuse container 56 from the front-loading refusecontainer assembly 62. A fourth working component is a rear access doorposition control system 70 configured to reposition the rear access door60 during loading, transit, and unloading events. In some embodiments,the working components further include refuse container control systemconfigured to raise and lower (e.g., tilt) the refuse container 56during unloading events, and/or other working component control systems.As shown in FIG. 2, each of the working components is driven by ahydraulic actuator. In other embodiments, another other type ofmechanical actuator may be used.

The number, type, and structure of the various working componentsdescribed herein should not be considered limiting. Various alternativesare possible without departing from the inventive principles disclosedherein. For example, more or fewer access doors may be included as partof the refuse body 54 to facilitate access to the refuse container 56.Additionally, the type, number, and location of actuators may alsodiffer in various exemplary embodiments.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the refuse truck 50 includes aworking component control module configured to control at least oneworking component based on a set of inputs. In the exemplary embodimentof FIG. 2, the refuse truck 50 includes at least four working componentcontrol modules, a refuse container position control module communicablycoupled to the front-end loading system 64, an access door positioncontrol module communicably coupled to the access door position controlsystem 66, a compactor control module communicably coupled to thecompaction control system, and a rear access door position controlmodule communicably coupled to the rear access door position controlsystem 70. In other exemplary embodiments, more or fewer workingcomponent control modules may be included. In yet other embodiments, asingle working component control module may be used to control multipleworking components. As will be further described with reference to FIGS.3-8, the working component control modules are communicably coupled tothe control interface module along with the non-working componentcontrol module(s) to eliminate the need for a separate controlsinterface that is specific to only the working components of the refusetruck 50. In addition, and as will be further described with referenceto FIGS. 10-12, this controls arrangement provides further benefit bypermitting a separate working component controls interface to be used tocontrol non-working components of the vehicle, which provides aconvenient means of controlling the non-working functions in addition toany controls interface supplied with the rolling vehicle chassis.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the rollingvehicle chassis for both the concrete mixer 10 (FIG. 1) and the refusetruck 50 (FIG. 2) include a steering wheel 38 disposed in the cab area16 (see also FIGS. 1-2) of the vehicle. The steering wheel 38 isconfigured to provide operator control over the position of the wheels14 in order to turn and maneuver the vehicle during transit operations.As shown in FIG. 3, the steering wheel 38 includes a control interface,shown as steering wheel control interface 300 disposed proximate to aside (e.g., a left side as shown in FIG. 3) of the steering wheel 38.The steering wheel control interface 300 includes a plurality ofactuators, shown as buttons 302. The buttons 302 include an uppercontrol button 304, a lower control button 306, a right control button308, a left control button 310, a select button 312, an increase button314, and a decrease button 316. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3,the control buttons (e.g., the upper control button 304, the lowercontrol button 306, the right control button 308, and the left controlbutton 310) circumferentially surround the select button 312. Theincrease button 314 and the decrease button 316 are positioned to theside (e.g., right side as shown in FIG. 3) of the right control button308. In other embodiments, the arrangement of buttons on the steeringwheel 38 may be different. For example, the buttons may be repositionedon a right side of the steering wheel, or at another position along thesteering wheel. In other embodiments, the plurality of actuators for thecontrol interface 300 may be disposed on a switch and/or lever behindthe steering wheel 38. In yet other embodiments, the plurality ofactuators for the control interface 300 may be disposed on the centerconsole, a dash in front of the operator, the center console, anoverhead area, or another location in the cab area.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 3-4, the steering wheel controlinterface 300 forms part of a human-machine interface (e.g., a userinterface) for the vehicle that enables a user or vehicle operator tocontrol the operation of one or more non-working components (e.g., tocontrol the volume of a radio in the cab area or another electroniccomponent, to navigate through options and make selections for a radioor another electronic component, to control the dashboard display,etc.). In other exemplary embodiments, the number, structure, and typeof actuators used for the steering wheel control interface 300 may bedifferent. For example, one or more buttons 302 may be replaced withswitches, toggles, dials, or another form of actuator.

According to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, the steering wheelcontrol interface 300 is communicably coupled to a control interfacemodule for the vehicle, shown as steering wheel control interface module402. The steering wheel control interface module 402 is communicablycoupled (e.g., electrically connected) to a working component controlmodule 404 and a non-working component control module 406. The workingcomponent control module 404 may include one or more of the workingcomponent control modules described herein for the concrete mixer 10(FIG. 1) and the refuse truck 50 (FIG. 2), or one or more workingcomponent control modules used in another application-specific vehicletype (e.g., a vehicle manufactured by adding application-specificcomponents to an OEM rolling chassis configuration). In this way,control interfaces that are originally (e.g., natively, as received fromthe OEM, etc.) configured for controlling non-working components (e.g.,non-working components included with the rolling chassis structure) maybe repurposed to allow an operator to also control the workingcomponents. Among other benefits, utilizing the OEM control interfacesreduces the number of additional control interfaces that need to beadded to the cab area 16 (see also FIGS. 1-2) to control the workingcomponents. Furthermore, using a steering wheel control interface 300 tocontrol the working components, or another control interface included aspart of the rolling vehicle chassis to control working components,increases operator productivity by providing the working componentcontrols within immediate reach of the operator.

A variety of different methods are possible to integrate the workingcomponent controls with the steering wheel control interface 300 oranother control interface for the rolling vehicle chassis. According toan exemplary embodiment, the working component control modules are eachintegrated directly into the internal communications network for thevehicle. The working component control modules may be hardwired (e.g.,electrically connected) to the internal communications network in placeof one or more non-working component control modules included with therolling chassis configuration. In other exemplary embodiments, theworking component control modules may be integrated into the internalcommunications network using one of a variety of multiplexing techniquesknown to those of ordinary skill in the art. Advantageously, using amultiplexing technique may allow the control interface to be used forsimultaneous control of both working and non-working components. In yetother exemplary embodiments, one or more buttons 302 may be repurposedas a function control switch configured to allow the operator toselectively control either a working component or a non-workingcomponent with the same buttons 302. For example, the function controlswitch may be configured to toggle between two modes of operation, afirst mode in which at least one button 302 controls a non-workingcomponent, and a second mode in which the least one button controls aworking component. In yet other exemplary embodiments, only a subset(e.g., one or more buttons of the plurality of buttons 302, etc.) isused to control a working component, while the remaining buttons 302retain their original functionality (e.g., the remaining buttons 302control a non-working component of the vehicle).

The methods described herein to reconfigure the steering wheel controlinterface 300, or other control interfaces included with the rollingvehicle chassis, should not be considered limiting. Various othertechniques may be implemented in order to utilize the OEM controlinterfaces to control the working components. For example, the OEMcontrol interface may utilize a wireless communications protocol (e.g.,Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.) to communicate with non-working components. Insuch an embodiment, the working component control modules may need to beconfigured to receive wireless communication signals in order to receiveand process information from the OEM control interface.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-6, the steeringwheel control interface 300 may be used to control the workingcomponents of the concrete mixer 10 (see also FIG. 1). In the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 5, a subset of the buttons 302 of the steering wheelcontrol interface 300 are used to control the operation of the workingcomponents. In other exemplary embodiments, more or fewer buttons 302from the steering wheel control interface 300 may be used. As shown inFIG. 5, the upper control button 304 and the lower control button 306are configured to control charge and discharge operations for the mixingdrum 22 (e.g., to modify the rotational direction of the mixing drum 22,etc.). The select button 312 is configured to activate or deactivaterotation of the mixing drum 22. The remaining steering wheel controlinterface buttons 302 are used to control one or more non-workingcomponents.

As shown in FIG. 6, the steering wheel control interface 300 for theconcrete mixer 10 (see also FIG. 1) is communicably coupled to a controlinterface module, shown as steering wheel control interface module 602,on the internal communications network 600 (e.g., CAN bus, etc.). Theinternal communications network for the concrete mixer 10 includesworking component control modules, shown as drum rotation control module604 and chute position control module 606. In the exemplary embodimentof FIG. 6, the internal communications network also includes anon-working component control module 608. The non-working componentcontrol module 608 may be one of a variety of different non-workingcomponent control modules included with the rolling chassisconfiguration from the OEM. Among other functions, the steering wheelcontrol interface module 602 may be configured to determine routing ofinstructions or a control signal to any one of the control modules(e.g., drum rotation control module 604, chute position control module606, and non-working component control module 608) depending on whichbuttons 302 (see FIG. 4) are depressed (e.g., activated or deactivated).In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5, the buttons 302 have only beenassigned to control rotation of the mixing drum 22. In other exemplaryembodiments, the left control button 310 and the right control button308, or another set of buttons on the steering wheel control interface300, may be used to reposition the delivery chute 24.

FIGS. 7-8 show an example of how the steering wheel control interface300 may be repurposed to control the working components of the refusetruck 50 (FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 7, each of the buttons 302 of thesteering wheel control interface 300 is used to control the operation ofa working component of the refuse truck 50. In other exemplaryembodiments, additional, fewer, and/or different buttons 302 from thesteering wheel control interface 300 may be used, or additional buttonsfrom other OEM control interfaces may be used. As shown in FIG. 7, theupper control button 304 and the lower control button 306 are configuredto control raising and lowering operations for the front-end loadingrefuse container assembly 62. The left control button 310 and the rightcontrol button 308 are configured to control the compactor (e.g., theleft control button 310 causes the compactor to engage, while the rightcontrol button 308 causes the compactor to disengage). The select button312, once depressed (e.g., activated), is configured to generate a usercommand (e.g., operator command, control signal, etc.) to cause the rearaccess door 60 to open to eject refuse from the refuse container 56. Inan exemplary embodiment, the select button 312 is also configured toraise one end of the refuse container 56, to more fully empty thecontents of the refuse container 56. In some embodiments, releasing theselect button 312 (e.g., deactivating the select button) may cause therefuse container 56 and the rear access door 60 to be repositioned(e.g., may cause the refuse container 56 to be lowered and the rearaccess door 60 to be closed) so that the refuse truck 50 may continuerefuse collection/loading operations. In the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 7, the increase button 314 and the decrease button 316 areconfigured to open and close the access door 58.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the steeringwheel control interface 300 for the refuse truck 50 (see also FIG. 2) iscommunicably coupled to a control interface module, shown as steeringwheel control interface module 802, on the internal communicationsnetwork 800 (e.g., CAN bus, etc.). Similar to the concrete mixer 10application (see FIG. 6), the steering wheel control interface module802 for the refuse truck 50 is configured to communicate with a workingcomponent control module over the internal communications network forthe vehicle. As shown in FIG. 8, the refuse truck 50 includes multipleworking component control modules, shown as refuse container positioncontrol module 804, access door position control module 806, compactorcontrol module 808, and rear access door position control module 810. Inthe exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8, the internal communications networkfor the refuse truck 50 additionally includes a non-working componentcontrol module 812. Again, the non-working component control module 812may be one of a variety of different non-working component controlmodules included with the rolling chassis configuration from the OEM.

A variety of different OEM control interfaces may be utilized to controlthe working components in accordance with the inventive principlesdisclosed herein. For example, actuators may be provided in otherregions of the cab area 16 (see FIGS. 1-2) other than the steering wheel38 to control the working components of the vehicle (e.g., actuatorsthat are part of the rolling chassis configuration such as actuators onthe right side of the steering wheel 38 as shown in FIG. 3, actuatorsdisposed on the center console, etc.). In this way, the steering wheelcontrol interface 300 and the steering wheel control interface module602, 802 of FIGS. 6 and 8, may be replaced with a control interface anda control interface module, respectively, in another region of the cabarea 16.

In other embodiments, the OEM control interface includes other types ofcontrol interfaces (non-actuator-based interfaces, etc.) capable ofreceiving and transmitting commands and information (e.g., usercommands, control signals, etc.). For example, as shown in FIG. 9, anOEM control system 900 includes a hands-free calling system, shown asmicrophone system 902, included with the rolling chassis structure.According to an exemplary embodiment, the microphone system 902 includesa microphone that provides verbal commands to one or more workingcomponents of the vehicle in addition to providing the functionality ofa traditional hands-free calling system (e.g., placing calls through alinked Bluetooth phone, or directly through a mobile telematics module).As shown in FIG. 9, the microphone system 902 (e.g., microphone) iscommunicably coupled to an control interface module 904 (e.g., atouch-free control interface module, etc.) on the internalcommunications network for the vehicle, through which commands aretransmitted to one or more working component control modules 906 and/ornon-working component control modules 908. The control interface module904 may form part of the microphone system 902 or may be shared betweenmultiple OEM control interfaces. In other embodiments, the vehicleincludes an intermediate control interface module that receives datafrom a plurality of OEM control interfaces (e.g., the steering wheelcontrol interface, the hand-free calling system control interface,etc.), and coordinates the control of multiple working component controlmodules 906 and/or non-working component control modules 908 based onthe signals received from each OEM control interface.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the OEM control system 900 also includes astereo system 910 (e.g., radio) that provides audible confirmation(e.g., alerts, notifications, etc.) of the operational status of theworking component or commands received by the working component (e.g.,commands received from the hands-free calling system and/or another OEMcontrol interface). Among other benefits, repurposing the microphonesystem 902 and similar OEM control interfaces increases an operator'sability to multitask (e.g., to keep his/her hands on the wheel, tooperate another working component in parallel, etc.), thereby increasingoverall productivity.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the OEM control system 900also includes an on-chassis weighing system 912 that prevents theoperation of one or more working components under predeterminedoperating conditions. For example, in a refuse truck application, theon-chassis weighing system 912 may include a scale that is configured tocontinuously measure a weight of the vehicle (e.g., a weight of therefuse container, an overall weight of the refuse truck, etc.), and toprevent an operator from continuing to load the vehicle past (e.g.,beyond) a predetermined threshold (e.g., a gross vehicle weight rating);for example, by preventing an access door position control module fromopening, etc. Similar functionality may be provided by utilizing an OEMcamera system 914 to monitor a vehicle condition (e.g., an area in frontof the vehicle, an area behind the vehicle, and area to the side of thevehicle, an area in which a working component of the vehicle is located,etc.). For example, a camera of the OEM camera system may be utilized todetermine whether a person is located in an unsafe position (e.g., infield-of-view of a rear facing camera, near a repositionable rear accessdoor or other working component, etc.) and prevent operation of one ormore working components until the user has cleared the operating space.

Referring now to FIGS. 10-12, another embodiment of the integratedoperation centric controls of the present invention is disclosed. Asnoted above, a control interface module of a vehicle can be used tochange the operation of a working component control interface (e.g., ajoystick control used to actuate a refuse truck grabber arm) to controla non-working component of a vehicle. In such embodiments, the workingcomponent control interface may be disposed in a cab area of the vehicleand may be supplied by the OEM (i.e. the supplier of the rolling vehiclechassis structure) or otherwise (e.g., an aftermarket supplier, the OEM,etc.). According to an exemplary embodiment, the integration ofnon-working components with a working component control interfacepermits an operator to control various non-working components usingworking component controls as is beneficial to improve operatorefficiency, safety, comfort, etc.

As shown in FIG. 10, a vehicle control system 1000 may include ajoystick control 1002, a control interface module 1004, a non-workingcomponent control module 1006, and a working component control module1008. According to an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle control system1000 may be the vehicle control system of a concrete mixer, where thenon-working component control module 1006 may command a non-workingcomponent of the vehicle, such as an air conditioning and heatingsystem, a stereo, a camera system, a vehicle prime mover, tractiveelements, or a vehicle transmission system. The working componentcontrol module 1008 may command a working component of the vehicle, suchas a repositionable chute mechanism, a concrete drum, etc. as discussedabove. The joystick control 1002 may be a multi-axis joystick controller(e.g., pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, etc.) and may further include oneor more actuators (e.g., rocker switches, push buttons, scroll wheels,etc.) disposed thereon. The vehicle control system 1000 may furtherinclude a touchscreen interface 1010 and a keypad interface 1012. Thetouchscreen interface 1010 may be a programmable display screen disposedwithin the cab of the vehicle that may display one or more selectableicons or fields, where a user's selection of an icon or field willprovide a control signal to the control interface module 1004 inresponse to receiving user input. The keypad interface 1012 may includea plurality of actuators (e.g., switches, push buttons, etc.) configuredto receive user input. The keypad interface 1012 may be furtherconfigured to provide a control signal to the control interface module1004 in response to receiving user input.

Each of the working component control interfaces (i.e., the joystickcontrol 1002, the touchscreen interface 1010, the keypad interface 1012,or other control interface) may be used by an operator to control aworking component of the vehicle, particularly in cases where othernon-working component control interfaces (e.g., steering wheel, radiocontrols, etc.) are insufficient to control a particular workingcomponent. This may be the case when fine control is needed (i.e.precisely articulating a repositionable chute mechanism) or when anothercontrol interface associated with the vehicle provides too fewactuators. According to an exemplary embodiment of the vehicle controlsystem 1000, the joystick control 1002, touchscreen interface 1010, andthe keypad interface 1012 be communicably coupled (i.e. electronically,via CAN bus network, wirelessly, etc.) to the control interface module1004. The control interface module 1004 may also be communicably coupled(i.e. electronically, via CAN bus network, wirelessly, etc.) to thenon-working component control module 1006 and the working componentcontrol module 1008, as is described in detail above. In one embodiment,the joystick control 1002, touchscreen interface 1010, and the keypadinterface 1012 may receive user input and provide a control signal tothe control interface module 1004 in response to the user input. Thecontrol interface module 1004 may be configured to change the operationof one or more of the various the control interfaces 1002, 1010, 1012 inorder to selectively provide the control signal to either thenon-working component control module 1006 or the working componentcontrol module 1008. The control interface module 1004 be communicablycoupled to a separate actuator (e.g., toggle switch, two-way switch) forthe purpose of providing an operator with a means to select whichcomponent—working component or non-working component—is to be controlledvia the working component control interface 1002, 1010, 1012. In thisway, control interfaces 1002, 1010, 1012 that are originally configuredfor controlling working components (e.g., working components that maynot be included with a rolling chassis structure of the vehicle) may berepurposed to allow an operator to also control the non-workingcomponents.

As shown in FIG. 11, a vehicle control system 1100 may include ajoystick control 1102, a control interface module 1104, a non-workingcomponent control module 1106, and a working component control module1108. According to an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle control system1100 may be the vehicle control system of a refuse truck, where thenon-working component control module 1106 may command a non-workingcomponent of the vehicle, such as an air conditioning and heatingsystem, a stereo, a camera system, a vehicle prime mover, tractiveelements, or a vehicle transmission system. The working componentcontrol module 1108 may command a working component of the vehicle, suchas a repositionable chute mechanism, a concrete drum, etc. as discussedabove. The joystick control 1102 may be a multi-axis joystick controller(e.g., pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, etc.) and may further include oneor more actuators (e.g., rocker switches, push buttons, scroll wheels,etc.) disposed thereon. The vehicle control system 1100 may furtherinclude a touchscreen interface 1110, a keypad interface 1112, and anexterior interface 1114. The touchscreen interface 1110 may be aprogrammable display screen disposed within the cab of the vehicle thatmay display one or more selectable icons or fields, where a user'sselection of an icon or field will provide a control signal to thecontrol interface module 1104 in response to receiving user input. Thekeypad interface 1112 may include a plurality of actuators (e.g.,switches, push buttons, etc.) configured to receive user input. Thekeypad interface 1112 may be further configured to provide a controlsignal to the control interface module 1104 in response to receivinguser input. The exterior interface 1114 may include plurality ofactuators (e.g., push buttons, switches, etc.) disposed outside of thecab of the vehicle. For example, the exterior interface 1114 may beconfigured to control the grabber arm of a refuse truck from an exteriorlocation of the truck, such as a location proximate to a rear door orside-mounted grabber arm of the refuse truck.

Each of the working component control interfaces (i.e., the joystickcontrol 1102, the touchscreen interface 1110, the keypad interface 1112,exterior interface 1114, or other control interface) may be used by anoperator to control a working component of the vehicle, particularly incases where other non-working component control interfaces (e.g.,steering wheel, radio controls, etc.) are insufficient to control aparticular working component. This may be the case when fine control isneeded (i.e. precisely articulating a refuse container grabber arm tograsp a curbside refuse container) or when another control interfaceassociated with the vehicle provides too few actuators to accomplish aparticular function. According to an exemplary embodiment of the vehiclecontrol system 1100, the joystick control 1102, touchscreen interface1110, and the keypad interface 1112 be communicably coupled (i.e.electronically, via CAN bus network, etc.) to the control interfacemodule 1104. The control interface module 1104 may also be communicablycoupled (i.e. electronically, via CAN bus network, etc.) to thenon-working component control module 1006 and the working componentcontrol module 1108, as is described in detail above. In one embodiment,the joystick control 1102, touchscreen interface 1110, and the keypadinterface 1112 may receive user input and provide a control signal tothe control interface module 1104 in response to the user input. Thecontrol interface module 1104 may be configure to change the operationof one or more of the various the control interfaces 1102, 1110, 1112 inorder to selectively provide the control signal to either thenon-working component control module 1006 or the working componentcontrol module 1108. The control interface module 1104 be communicablycoupled to a separate actuator (e.g., toggle switch, two-way switch) forthe purpose of providing an operator with a means to select whichcomponent—working component or non-working component—is to be controlledvia the working component control interface 1102, 1110, 1112. In thisway, control interfaces 1102, 1110, 1112 that are originally configuredfor controlling working components (e.g., working components that maynot be included with a rolling chassis structure of the vehicle) may berepurposed to allow an operator to also control the non-workingcomponents.

Using control interfaces associated with working components toadditionally control non-working components may provide an operator witha convenient and efficient means to control both the working componentsand non-working components without interacting with separate controlinterfaces. Such advantages may be particularly pronounced in caseswhere the use of a working component depends in part on the nearlysimultaneous or simultaneous operation of a non-working function. Forexample, an operator of a refuse truck may be articulating a grabber armto grasp curbside refuse containers using a joystick control to makefine or discrete movements, where a plurality of curbside refusecontainers are spaced apart along a curb. In such circumstances, theoperator may need to operate the working component to grasp a refusecontainer, then operate non-working components to approach the nextrefuse container, and then operate a working component to grasp the nextrefuse container. In such a situation, it may be advantageous to permitoperation of both working and non-working components using the joystickcontrol. According to an exemplary embodiment, the operator may use ajoystick control to put a refuse truck into gear (i.e. from park todrive or vice versa). In another embodiment, an actuator disposed on aworking component control interface, such as a joystick control, may beused to operate a turn signal, hazard lights, or other light fixturecoupled to a refuse truck. It should be understood that the operation ofnon-working components using a working component control interface isnot limited to the above examples.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a block diagram of a vehicular control system1200 is shown. The vehicular control system 1200 includes a workingcomponent control interface 1202, a control interface module 1204, aworking component control module 1206, a non-working component controlmodule 1208, and a non-working component control interface 1210. Theworking component control interface 1202 and the non-working componentcontrol interface 1210 may be communicably coupled (e.g.,electronically, via CAN bus network, wirelessly, etc.) to the controlinterface module 1204. Likewise, the control interface module 1204 maybe further communicably coupled (e.g., electronically, via CAN busnetwork, wirelessly, etc.) to the working component control module 1206and the non-working component control module 1208. The working componentcontrol interface 1202 may be a joystick control (e.g., the joystickcontrol 1002, 1102), a touchscreen interface (e.g., the touchscreeninterface 1010, 1110), a keypad interface (e.g., the keypad interface1012 or 1112), an exterior interface (e.g., the exterior interface1114), or other interface configured to receive user input for thepurpose of controlling the working component control module 1206. Thenon-working component control interface 1210 may be a control interfaceconfigured to control a non-working component of the vehicle. Asdescribed in detail above with reference to FIGS. 3-9, the non-workingcomponent control interface 1210 may be a steering wheel controlinterface (e.g., the steering wheel control interface 300), a microphonesystem (e.g., microphone system 902), a stereo system (e.g., the stereosystem 910), an on-chassis weighing system (e.g., the on-chassisweighing system 912), or a camera system (e.g., the camera system 914).

The control interface module 1204 may be configured to receive a controlsignal from the working component control interface 1202 or thenon-working component control interface 1210. Moreover, the controlinterface module 1204 may be configured to selectively transmit acontrol signal to one or both of the working component control module1206 and the non-working component control module 1208. The workingcomponent control module 1206 may be configured to receive a controlsignal from the control interface module 1204 and further control aworking component of the vehicle (e.g., refuse grabber arm, refusecompactor, movable concrete mixer chute, concrete mixer drum, etc.) inresponse to the received control signal. The non-working componentcontrol module 1208 may be configured to receive a control signal fromthe control interface module 1204 and further control a non-workingcomponent of the vehicle (e.g., radio, air condition and heating system,prime mover of the vehicle, transmission system, etc.) in response tothe received control signal.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the control interface module 1204is capable of selectively transmitting a control signal to one or bothof the working component control module 1206 or the non-workingcomponent control module 1208 based on user input received by one orboth of the working component control interface 1202 and the non-workingcomponent control interface 1210. In other words, the vehicular controlsystem 1200 is configured to receive user input via one or more controlinterfaces associated with working components (i.e. the workingcomponent control interface 1202) or control interfaces associated withnon-working components (i.e. the non-working component control interface1210) to control one or more working components (via the workingcomponent control module 1206) and/or one or more non-working components(via the non-working component control module 1208). When configured inthis way, the vehicular control system 1200 permits an operator toselectively configure and reconfigure various control interfaces 1202,1210 to control various working and non-working components of a vehiclein order to promote efficiency, productivity, safety, ease of use, orother factor.

Referring to the figures generally, the various exemplary embodimentsdisclosed herein relate to systems and methods for utilizing OEMcontrols interfaces to control a working component of a vehicle.Likewise, the various exemplary embodiments disclosed herein relate tosystems and methods for utilizing other controls interfaces to control anon-working component of a vehicle. Although this description maydiscuss a specific order of method steps, the order of the steps maydiffer from what is outlined. Also, two or more steps may be performedconcurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variation will depend onthe software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. Allsuch variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise,software implementations could be accomplished with standard programmingtechniques with rule-based logic and other logic to accomplish thevarious connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps, anddecision steps.

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately”, “about”, “substantially”,and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony withthe common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art towhich the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should beunderstood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure thatthese terms are intended to allow a description of certain featuresdescribed and claimed without restricting the scope of these features tothe precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms shouldbe interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequentialmodifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimedare considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in theappended claims.

It should be noted that the term “exemplary” as used herein to describevarious embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments arepossible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possibleembodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that suchembodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

The terms “coupled,” “connected,” and the like, as used herein, mean thejoining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Suchjoining may be stationary (e.g., permanent, etc.) or moveable (e.g.,removable, releasable, etc.). Such joining may be achieved with the twomembers or the two members and any additional intermediate members beingintegrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with thetwo members or the two members and any additional intermediate membersbeing attached to one another.

References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,”“above,” “below,” “between,” etc.) are merely used to describe theorientation of various elements in the figures. It should be noted thatthe orientation of various elements may differ according to otherexemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to beencompassed by the present disclosure.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the OEMcontrol interfaces as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrativeonly. Although only a few embodiments of the present disclosure havebeen described in detail, those skilled in the art who review thisdisclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible(e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes andproportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mountingarrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) withoutmaterially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of thesubject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formedmay be constructed of multiple parts or elements. It should be notedthat the elements and/or assemblies of the components described hereinmay be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present inventions.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the preferredand other exemplary embodiments without departing from scope of thepresent disclosure or from the spirit of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle, comprising: a control interfacemodule; a rolling chassis structure, comprising: a chassis; and anon-working component coupled to the chassis and configured tofacilitate transit operations for the rolling chassis structure, thenon-working component communicably coupled to the control interfacemodule; a working component coupled to the rolling chassis structure andconfigured to move relative to the chassis, the working componentcommunicably coupled to the control interface module; and a controlinterface communicably coupled to the control interface module andconfigured to receive one or more user commands, the control interfaceconfigured to control an operation of at least one of the workingcomponent and the non-working component in response to the one or moreuser commands.
 2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the control interfaceis a multi-axis joystick control disposed within a cab of the vehicle.3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the control interface is atouchscreen interface disposed within a cab of the vehicle.
 4. Thevehicle of claim 1, wherein the control interface is a keypad interfacedisposed within a cab of the vehicle.
 5. The vehicle of claim 1, whereinthe control interface is an exterior interface disposed on an exteriorof the vehicle.
 6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is arefuse truck, and wherein the working component is one of a front-endloading system configured to control a position of a refuse containerassembly of the refuse truck, a compaction control system configured tocontrol a position of a compactor of the refuse truck, and an accessdoor position control system configured to control a position of anaccess door to a refuse container of the refuse truck.
 7. The vehicle ofclaim 1, wherein the vehicle is a concrete mixer, and wherein theworking component is one of a drum drive system configured to controlrotation of a mixing drum of the concrete mixer, and a chute positioncontrol system configured to control a position of a delivery chute ofthe concrete mixer.
 8. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising asecond control interface communicably coupled to the control interfacemodule and configured to receive a second user input, the second controlinterface configured to control the operation of the non-workingcomponent in response the second user input.
 9. The vehicle of claim 8,wherein the control interface module is further configured to changeoperation of the second control interface to control the operation ofthe working component.
 10. A vehicle, comprising: a control interfaceconfigured to receive an input and transmit a control signal, thecontrol signal based on the received input; a control interface modulecommunicably coupled to the control interface, the control interfacemodule configured to receive the control signal and transmit a commandsignal; a non-working component configured to facilitate transitoperations of the vehicle, the non-working component communicablycoupled to the control interface module; and a working componentconfigured to facilitate non-transit operations of the vehicle, theworking component communicably coupled to the control interface module;wherein the control interface module transmits the command signal to theworking component in a first mode, the first mode configured to controlan operation of the working component based on the received controlsignal; wherein the control interface module transmits the commandsignal to the non-working component in a second mode, the second modeconfigured to control an operation of the non-working component based onthe received control signal.
 11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein thecontrol interface is a multi-axis joystick control disposed within a cabof the vehicle.
 12. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the controlinterface is a touchscreen interface disposed within a cab of thevehicle.
 13. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the control interface is akeypad interface disposed within a cab of the vehicle.
 14. The vehicleof claim 10, wherein the control interface is an exterior interfacedisposed on an exterior of the vehicle.
 15. The vehicle of claim 10,further comprising a second control interface configured to control anon-working component of the vehicle, wherein the control interfacemodule is further configured to change operation of the second controlinterface to control the operation of the working component.
 16. Acontrol system, comprising: a control interface configured to receiveuser commands and control a working component of a vehicle, the workingcomponent configured to facilitate non-transit operations of thevehicle; and a control interface module communicably coupled to thecontrol interface, the control interface module communicably couplableto the working component and a non-working component of the vehicle, thenon-working component configured to facilitate transit operations forthe vehicle, the control interface module configured to receive the usercommands from the control interface and control the working componentbased on the user commands, wherein the control interface is configuredto transmit a plurality of control signals to the control interfacemodule; wherein the control interface module is further configured tocontrol the non-working component based on at least one of the pluralityof control signals.
 17. The control interface module of claim 16,wherein the control interface comprises a plurality of actuators,wherein a first actuator of the plurality of actuators is configured togenerate the at least one of the plurality of control signals, and asecond actuator of the plurality of actuators is configured to generatea second control signal, wherein the control interface module isconfigured to control the working component based on the second controlsignal.
 18. The control system of claim 16, wherein the controlinterface comprises a function control switch wherein the functioncontrol switch is configured to toggle the control interface between aplurality of modes of operation including a first mode of operation inwhich the plurality of control signals control the non-workingcomponent, and a second mode of operation in which the control signalscontrol the working component, and a third mode of operation in whichthe control signals control the non-working component and the workingcomponent.
 19. The control system of claim 16, wherein the vehicle isone of a refuse truck or a concrete mixer, and wherein the workingcomponent is configured to move relative to a chassis of the vehicle.20. The control system of claim 17, wherein the control interface is oneof a joystick control, a touchscreen interface, a keypad interface, oran exterior interface.